Organizing New Clubs A Guide for District Governors and Special Representatives

Transcription

1 A Guide for District Governors and Special Representatives

2 organizing new clubs retention recruitment membership growth and development

3 Contents 1 Introduction Roles and Responsibilities of the District Governor Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Representative Completing Required Forms for RI...21 New Club Survey...23 Sponsor Club Form...25 New Club Application Charter Presentation...31 Setting the Date and Time...31 Preparing the District Governor s Remarks...31 Planning the Charter Presentation Meeting Frequently Asked Questions...35 Appendixes 1: District Governor s Planning Worksheet for Organizing a New Rotary Club : Classification Worksheet : Glossary of Rotary Club Terms : Suggested Weekly Meeting Agendas for Organizing Clubs : Charter Presentation Meeting Checklist : Sample News Releases Addendum on Organizing Rotary E-Clubs...53

4 1 Introduction Organizing a new Rotary club requires a great deal of time and work, but many Rotarians have found it to be one of their most rewarding experiences. There are many reasons to start a new Rotary club. Perhaps there are potential qualified members in a community who would like to join Rotary, but they would prefer a meeting time that better suits their schedules or want to meet online via a Rotary e-club. Maybe one existing Rotary club can no longer accommodate growth due to limitations in meeting facility space of the current club. Some circumstances might even call for a club that conducts its meetings in a different language. All of these scenarios, and many more, may suggest there is a need for a new club. Find your CDS representative at The district governor facilitates the development of new clubs in the district. Rotarians interested in organizing a new Rotary club should contact their district governor. The Rotary International Club and District Support (CDS) representative for a particular area also can be of assistance to district governors or others interested in learning about how to start a new Rotary club. This publication provides guidance in organizing a new Rotary club for district governors and their special representatives. The required forms that must be submitted to RI are also included in this publication. For your convenience, the forms in the online PDF version are formatted for editing all fields, except for the required signatures, may be completed electronically. Hard copies must be printed, signed, and mailed to RI. Because local circumstances vary throughout the Rotary world, the process for organizing a new club outlined in this guide serves as a starting point, ensuring minimum RI requirements are met. Additional actions may need to be taken based on local Rotary traditions and legal requirements of specific jurisdictions. Use the recommended actions for each stage of new club development, including the action-step checklists and suggested resources, as you work toward the successful chartering of a new Rotary club. A 2010 Council on Legislation enactment recognized Rotary e-clubs as part of Rotary International, following a six-year pilot project. While the vast majority of practices described here apply to Rotary clubs as well as Rotary e-clubs, there are some special considerations when organizing a Rotary e-club. Refer to appendix 7 for further guidance on e-clubs. Unless otherwise specified, references to clubs throughout this guide also apply to Rotary e-clubs. 1

5 2 Roles and Responsibilities of the District Governor Organizing a new Rotary club requires careful supervision by the district governor and the cooperation and support of many people. The organization of new clubs is the responsibility of the district governor (RI Bylaws ), under the general supervision of the RI Board. The district governor appoints a district extension committee to develop and implement a plan for organizing new clubs, and either serves as or appoints a special representative to coordinate extension efforts for each new club. He or she determines the duties and authority to delegate, communicates his or her ideas to the special representative regarding working with the sponsor club(s) and recruiting charter members, and engages other Rotarians in ensuring the success of each club. The district governor s primary responsibilities are outlined in this chapter, with additional explanation about Rotary e-clubs in appendix 7. As district governor, you should communicate with your special representative about the role you will take in the process. Each district governor may approach this process differently, some taking a more hands-on approach, others delegating most of the responsibilities. And each situation is different the organization of new clubs results from many different circumstances, each bringing unique considerations to the table. Because the duties of the special representative should continue for at least one year after the club is chartered, consultation with the district governor-elect and possibly the district governor-nominee is also recommended. Consider the checklist action steps in this publication as a starting point as you determine your own strategy for successfully engaging in the process of organizing a new club in your district. Use the planning worksheet on page 39 to begin developing a timeline for organizing each new club. Appendix 1 contains a planning worksheet for organizing a new Rotary club that you may wish to use as you initially set goals for yourself and your special representative. Appoint members to the district extension committee The district extension committee develops and implements a plan to organize new Rotary clubs within the district, under the direction of the district governor. The committee has the following responsibilities: Identifying communities without Rotary clubs that have a population capable of meeting the requirements for chartering a new club Identifying communities where additional Rotary clubs could be established without negatively effecting any existing club Assisting in organizing and establishing new clubs The minimum recommended qualification for appointment to a district extension committee is active membership in good standing in a club in the district (Rotary Code of Policies ). Preference should be given to past district governors or other experienced Rotarians who have been active and successful in establishing new clubs. 3

6 Action steps: Determine who you will appoint to the district extension committee and when you will appoint them. Communicate the responsibilities of the district extension committee, as well as your expectations of the committee, to the committee members. Provide oversight for the committee s activities. Consider the methods of communication you will use to stay in contact with the committee. Initiate the New Club Survey When the district extension committee identifies a potential need and locality for a new club, the district governor is charged with completing the required New Club Survey (see page 23). Provide the official surveyor with the New Club Survey on page 23. Action steps: Appoint a Rotarian to be the official surveyor of the prospective locality. This individual should be familiar with the area so that he or she can determine whether it can support a new club. Initiate a search for a sponsor club (if not yet identified). Determine, in coordination with the surveyor, whether the prospective locality has enough qualified businesses and professionals to maintain an additional club of at least 25 active members under Rotary s classification system. Appoint a special representative and sponsor club(s) A dedicated special representative is instrumental to the success of the new club. When circumstances permit, some district governors assume the role of special representative themselves. The special representative will be your primary point person for recruiting and working with charter members. The special representative will be instrumental in the success of the new club, so choose this person carefully. He or she also works closely with the sponsor club(s). As such, it is preferable that the special representative is a member of the sponsor club. You are required to designate your special representative and sponsor club before submitting the New Club Survey to RI. In some areas of the world, where geographical circumstances make it difficult for the special representative and sponsor club to meet regularly and play a significant hands-on role, the district trainer becomes an important resource to consider. Although a sponsor club is not required, it is strongly recommended; sponsor clubs can help ensure that a new club is successful in building a strong foundation in membership, service, and fellowship. New clubs may have more than one sponsor, but at least one sponsor club should be located near the new club. A sponsor club should meet these requirements: Good financial standing with RI Membership of at least 20 active members Well-rounded program of Rotary service 4

7 Provide the potential sponsor club(s) with copies of the Sponsor Club Form (page 25). Communicate your expectations of the potential sponsor club(s) to the club officers, along with a deadline for acceptance of the position. The sponsor club has these general responsibilities: Assisting the special representative in planning and organizing the administrative processes of the new club Helping to organize the new club s programs and projects Guiding the new club in its development as a member of RI Reporting to the district governor as requested during the club s first year Serving as a mentor to the new club for preferably two years after its admission to membership in RI RI research indicates that new clubs, particularly in their first and second years, need a strong support system. In fact, the biggest losses in membership, as well as most club terminations, occur in a club s second year of existence. A club that has the strong support of a sponsor club well into its second year has a greater chance of becoming a strong, self-sufficient, and productive club. Consider the advantages of a multiclub sponsor approach: The new club has a stronger support system since the differences in each of the sponsor clubs allows the new club to experience a wider variety of ideas The time and effort to work with the new club is not on the shoulders of one club or a few Rotarians Larger network to recruit charter members Shared financial support Action steps: Appoint your special representative, and provide a copy of this publication to him or her. Decide which duties and responsibilities you will delegate to the special representative (see chapter 3). Develop a plan for regular communication with the special representative. District governors may review the Report of New Club Trends and other RI research at /membershipresources. Communicate your expectations to the special representative. Consider involving the district trainer in the process of organizing and training the new club. Discuss your preliminary planning timeline (see appendix 1) with the special representative. Determine the roles that you and the special representative will play in working with charter members. Identify potential sponsor club(s). Consider the advantages of a multiclub sponsor approach. 5

8 Educate the potential sponsor club(s) about the responsibilities involved, or delegate this responsibility to the special representative. (Find out more in chapter 3.) Send the Sponsor Club Form to the club president of the sponsor club. Ensure that the sponsor club has held a formal vote of its membership to determine whether the entire club backs the effort to support the new club. Submit New Club Survey and Sponsor Club Form to your CDS representative Contact your CDS representative with any questions about completing forms. Both the New Club Survey and the Sponsor Club Form must be completed in their entirety, including all signatures, before submitting them to RI. (To complete the forms electronically, access an online version of this publication at Type the information into the forms, and then print, obtain necessary signatures, and mail them to RI. Action steps: Determine, along with your special representative, the specific responsibilities that you expect your sponsor club to carry out. Ensure that either you or your special representative has communicated these responsibilities to the potential sponsor club before the club agrees to participate. If you have elected not to appoint a sponsor club, provide a detailed explanation for your decision. Obtain all necessary signatures, and review the forms before submitting them. Contact your CDS representative with any questions before submitting the forms. Recruit charter members Charter members are the founding members of a club. They are elected to membership before the club is admitted to RI. Fifty percent of the charter members of a club must be from the local community. As district governor, you determine what role you will play in working with charter club members. You should have a communication plan in place so that you, your special representative, the sponsor club, and the charter members are all actively contributing to the success of the new club. Also consider the role that your assistant governors will take. Communicate the general responsibilities of charter club members to them, either personally or through your special representative. These responsibilities include: Identifying charter members Verifying balance of charter members classifications Establishing club name Adopting the Standard Rotary Club Constitution Determining meeting location and time Adopting club bylaws and committee structure Electing club board and officers Establishing club fees and dues Chapter 3 contains more information for special representatives to communicate to charter members. 6

9 Action steps: Determine the role that the district governor will assume in recruiting charter members. Will you be hands-on, or will you delegate most of the responsibilities to the special representative, sponsor club, and organizing group of charter members? Develop an action plan for working with or training the special representative and the sponsor club to recruit charter members. Encourage a balance of classifications in the new club. Establish an appropriate orientation and education program for prospective and charter members. Grant provisional club status The district governor gives the organizing group interested in forming a new club the designation provisional club after it meets weekly and has elected club officers who will subscribe to the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. This designation entitles the provisional club to issue make-up meetings to visiting Rotarians. Action steps: Ensure that the special representative and sponsor club members are fully aware and well-trained about their roles in providing a Rotary education to charter members. Develop a communication plan to ensure the district governor, special representative, and sponsor club are regularly communicating about their efforts and involvement in educating prospective and charter members. Answer any questions the provisional club may have about its adopted club bylaws. Review the New Club Application, and submit for RI Board approval Find the New Club Application on page 27. Once the provisional club has 25 active charter members with a balance of classifications, the New Club Application can be submitted to RI. The list of members submitted on the form is considered the club s complete charter membership list; no other members can be elected to the club until the RI Board has approved the application. The club charter membership list is a crucial part of the New Club Application, and lists are checked for accuracy. As district governor, your signature on this form sent to RI indicates that you have verified all the information it contains, including assurances that the individuals listed on the charter membership list have been informed of their presence on the list. Submitting inaccurate membership lists has serious consequences: When a new club seeking a charter submits an inaccurate membership list the general secretary shall take the following action: a. withhold granting the new club charter; b. notify the district governor that the charter will not be released until all names on the new club membership list have been verified, and that all future new club applications from the district during the Rotary year will undergo scrutiny; c. notify the district governor that the submission of the inaccurate membership list has made him/her ineligible for any RI assignment for three years after his/her term as governor ends. (Rotary Code of Policies ) 7

10 Action steps: Verify all of the information included on the New Club Application. Review the application for completeness and legibility. Validate that there is a balance of classifications in the new members by reviewing the classification worksheet your special representative has completed. Include the correct charter fee along with the application. Contact your CDS representative with any questions. Send the New Club Application to your CDS representative for RI Board approval. Present the charter to the new Rotary club The charter for a new club, signed by the president of RI and bearing the official seal, is sent to the district governor, usually within four weeks of the club s admission to membership. The district governor also signs the charter. After you have been notified that the application has been approved and the club is operating effectively, work with your special representative and the new club officers to set the date and time for the charter presentation. Under no circumstance should the date for the charter presentation meeting be set until the application for membership has been approved, in case of unexpected delays obtaining approval. See chapter 6 for information on organizing the charter presentation meeting. Action steps: Determine how long it will take your special representative and the new club officers to organize the charter presentation meeting. Communicate any ideas to your special representative, beyond those presented in chapter 6, that you want to incorporate into the charter presentation meeting. Discuss with your special representative the dissemination of a news release to the local media. The district governor is strongly encouraged to maintain contact with the new club after it is chartered and remain involved in its continued development. The outgoing district governor should provide the district governor-elect with a list of all special representatives who are assisting with the process of organizing new clubs. 8

11 3 Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Representative The district governor appoints a well-informed Rotarian from a nearby club, preferably the sponsor club, as special representative for organizing a new club. The special representative has the authority to represent the governor in organizing the club. The district governor determines the representative s exact duties and authority as is appropriate for the district. In carrying out your responsibilities as special representative, you may be involved in some or all of the following activities. Be sure to communicate with the district governor so that you have a complete understanding of your responsibilities. The steps included in this chapter generally but not always occur in the chronological order outlined. Convene your planning meeting after the New Club Survey is approved but before actual organizational work begins. Your primary resources for successfully conducting your role as special representative include your district governor, this manual, the Manual of Procedure (035), and your RI Club and District Support (CDS) representative. Convene a planning meeting with the sponsor club and organizing group This meeting s purpose is to introduce the founding members of the organizing group to the sponsor club members and begin building a relationship. The special representative should facilitate the two groups getting to know each other and help them establish guidelines for how they will work together in the coming year(s). Invite the prospective qualified charter members of the new club as well as the district governor and the president of the sponsor club. Ask the sponsor club president to invite additional members of the sponsor club to attend. Review the frequently asked questions found on page 35 in preparation for the planning meeting. Use the meeting to brainstorm, set goals, and get acquainted. Discuss ideas for recruiting charter members. Use the guidelines included in the Standard Rotary Club Constitution as a starting point. Suggested agenda for the meeting: Review the membership provisions of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution Plan for future recruitment efforts Consider the following resources as you discuss recruitment with the organizing group: - Leading businesses and organizations in the area, and people associated with them who would be qualified for Rotary membership - Current Rotarians in neighboring clubs who might find the meeting time of the new club more convenient - Former Rotarians in the area - Rotary alumni or other beneficiaries of an RI or Rotary Foundation program (for a list of former alumni in your area, alumni@rotary.org) - Former or current Rotaractors 9

12 - Retirees in the area who previously held executive positions - Local and business phone directories - Directories of other professional groups within the locality - Graduates of business schools Encourage the organizing club to purchase educational resources for prospective member information sessions: - Prospective Member Information Kits (423) or individual components of the kit Welcome to Rotary folder (265-MU), Rotary Basics (595), This Is Rotary (001), What s Rotary? (419), Rotary s US$200 Million Challenge Brochure (986), and Rotary Foundation Facts (159) - Membership Video Set (427) - This Is Rotary DVD (449) - Rotary s US$200 Million Challenge (985-DVD) - Rotary and the International Community: Connecting the Local to the Global (266-DVD) Action steps: Ask the district governor to fully outline his or her expectations for you and your role in the process of organizing the new club. Discuss the sponsor club mentoring relationship with the members of the organizing club so that they have an opportunity to voice their wants and needs from the sponsor club. Determine how often members of the sponsor club will be in contact with the organizing club. Encourage a strong working relationship between the organizing and sponsor clubs. Develop a communication plan for everyone involved in the process. How will you communicate with the organizing group of charter club members and the sponsor club? How will the sponsor club communicate with the organizing group? What are the preferred methods of communication for all parties involved? Divide responsibilities among the organizing club, sponsor club, and special representative for recruiting prospective charter members. Outline a process and timeline for completing documents for the admission of the new club. Encourage the organizing club to distribute materials from RI to prospective members, and decide who will order these materials. Access the online RI Catalog at shop.rotary.org to find the latest publications available. Ensure than any questions the organizing members have about Rotary or the organizing process are answered in a timely fashion. Provide the organizing members with a copy of the Manual of Procedure (035). 10

13 Communicate responsibilities to the sponsor club Encourage the sponsor club to utilize RI resources as it works with the charter club. A new club s success depends on how well it is organized and how well it operates in the first few years. The sponsor club plays a vital role in this success. Your role as special representative is to ensure that the sponsor club is actively mentoring the new club. Since most clubs haven t served as a sponsor club in the past, engaging in an open dialogue with the sponsor club about the responsibilities and expectations of the sponsor club is an important responsibility of the special representative. The sponsor club should act as mentor to the new club, both before and after the club is chartered. Work with the sponsor club in the planning and organizing of the administrative processes of the new club, and discuss specific examples of how the sponsor club will help mentor the new club in its early programs and projects. Action steps: Ensure that discussions have begun with the organizing members about the administrative processes of a Rotary club. Solidify the role that the sponsor club will play in the recruitment of prospective members. New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs (414) serves as a valuable resource to help the charter club develop a prospective and new member education program. Develop a formal orientation program for prospective members, in cooperation with the charter members and sponsor club. Determine when the new club will be ready to hold its first meeting, and communicate this information to the district governor. Work with the organizing members, district governor, and the sponsor club in the planning of the first 8 to 10 meetings. Ensure the sponsor club leaders are ready to serve as mentors. Recruit prospective charter club members Encourage charter members to serve as the primary recruiters, emphasizing that they are the builders of their club. Continue educating charter members about Rotary so that they can, in turn, proactively and accurately talk to prospective members about Rotary. Encourage the sponsor club members to promote the many benefits of Rotary club membership to prospective charter members and invite prospective charter members to participate in the sponsor club s service projects and special events. Encourage the charter and sponsor clubs to find recruitment resources in the Membership Development Resource Guide (417) and Club Assessment Tools. Download both at /en/membership resources. As the special representative, you should communicate the importance of membership diversity to the charter members. International understanding and goodwill begin with the application of the same principles within each club. Assess whether the prospective member list represents the ethnic, age, and religious diversity of the community. Does the gender make-up reflect that of the professional community? If not, communicate your concerns to the charter club members. If so, congratulate the charter club on its work. You are also responsible for ensuring a balance of classifications in the charter membership and for submitting the Classification Worksheet (appendix 2) to your district governor. All Rotary clubs should aspire to reflect the business and professional make-up of the community. This concept, known as the classification principle, is a fundamental building block of RI. It is the special representative s duty to explain this concept to the organizing group, communicate the official policy to them, and encourage the recruitment of a diverse club. 11

14 Find the New Club Member Classification Worksheet in appendix 2. Action steps: Create an estimated timeline for working toward provisional club status. Assist the charter club members in distinguishing what they will emphasize about the new club to prospective members. Why might prospective members be drawn to the new club? What characteristics make it different from other clubs in the area? Discuss the importance of membership diversity with the sponsor club and the charter club members. The sponsor club should be continuously promoting membership diversity as an essential element of recruiting new members. Provide the organizing group with copies of the diversity and classification policy from the Manual of Procedure (035), RI Constitution, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. Work through the classification survey, the membership diversity profile, and the 25-minute membership survey, which are found online in Club Assessment Tools, with the charter club members. Involve the sponsor club in these activities. Determine when the new club will be ready to hold its first meeting. Work with members of the sponsor club in assisting the charter members with the planning of the first several meetings. Complete the Classification Worksheet for review by the governor. Help charter club members with club operational duties The more education and mentoring that charter club members get about club operations, even before the club is awarded its charter, the more likely the club is going to operate efficiently and effectively once it does obtain its charter. Each of these bolded points below should be communicated to the charter club members, and the special representative should see to it that the charter club members understand these points and that they know who to seek for guidance when they have questions. There are a number of important considerations for the special representative regarding club operational duties when organizing Rotary e-clubs. Refer to appendix 7 for details. Determining Locality and Name of Club Find the New Club Application on page 27. Each Rotary club exists in a locality, the area in which it will provide service. A locality is composed of one or more communities. The locality of the club must be written in the club s application for membership in RI and its constitution. A club name identifies the club with its locality and the community it serves. The name should be easily identifiable on a map of the area. When a locality has more than one club, each additional club uses the locality s name plus some other designation to distinguish it from the other club(s). The use of a meal in the name (breakfast, lunch, supper, dinner) is strongly discouraged, as it implies that the club s sole purpose is to share a meal. The RI general secretary reviews the New Club Application to determine whether a name is appropriate. Consult chapter 6 for some examples of proper Rotary club names, or direct any questions about appropriate club names to your CDS representative. 12

15 Determining Meeting Location and Time A glossary of common Rotary terms can be found in appendix 3. Many of these terms will be unfamiliar to charter club members and may require further explanation. The new club s meeting location and time should be considered carefully, taking into consideration factors such as charter members ages, professional and personal responsibilities, where they live and work, and how far they would have to travel in order to attend the meeting. For example, if most members are parents of young children and prefer spending their evenings at home, it is advisable to set the meeting time no later than 17:00. Club members who live in a suburban community but work in the city might choose their meeting location depending on the meeting time. The option of holding a breakfast meeting or having no meal should be considered in order to reduce club members expenses. Conducting Weekly Meetings Several issues need to be addressed during the first weekly meetings of the organizing club such as the explanation of membership requirements, the purpose and content of constitutional documents, and the election of officers. For sample agendas, see appendix 4. Electing Provisional Club Officers and Calling First Club Assembly Use the sample agendas found on page 47 as a guideline for topics and issues to address at the organizing club s initial weekly meetings. Electing officers capable of leadership is essential to the new club s success. Officers and directors should be elected for their qualities of vision, leadership, and administrative ability and be prepared to devote the time necessary to carry on the work of the club. The special representative and the sponsor club should assist the new club in electing its officers. The new board should meet immediately following its election. The board elects the following officers: president, president-elect (usually the same person if the club is chartered in the second half of the Rotary year January through June), vice president (more than one may be elected), secretary, treasurer, and sergeant-at-arms. The special representative presides at this meeting. Once the board has been elected and committees appointed, the club president should call the first club assembly. The assembly serves as a planning session at which committee chairs can discuss the duties of their committees. This meeting offers a valuable opportunity for club leaders to further develop their plans and integrate them into the club s overall program. Deciding the Club Committee Structure Provide the provisional club with a complete Club Officers' Kit (225). Purchase from shop.rotary.org or download individual items from The board of the new club should develop a committee structure to meet its goals and objectives. Articles 9 and 10 of the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws outline the structure and duties of the five recommended committees (club administration, public relations, membership, service projects, and The Rotary Foundation). Additional committees should be appointed annually as needed. The responsibilities of each committee will be outlined in the club bylaws. Committees should meet immediately after they have been formed so that members can discuss their responsibilities and plan activities. As soon as initial projects have been determined, each committee should report its plans to the club s board. Except where special authority is given by the board, no committee should take action until a report has been made to the board and approved. The chairs of these committees are responsible for regular meetings and reporting all committee activities to the board. As special representative, encourage the chairs of the sponsoring club s committees to meet with their counterparts in the new club. Invite committee members of the organizing club to attend a committee meeting of the sponsor club. 13

16 Using Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan Download Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan (245) at /downloadlibrary, or order printed copies from shop.rotary.org for the new club officers and committee members. Clubs should use the guide, Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan, to implement some of the recommended best practices for increasing member involvement, community awareness, and club effectiveness. Members are encouraged to annually review these practices to ensure they continue to meet the club s goals and reflect the club s identity. The special representative should seek the aid of district leaders, particularly assistant governors, for helping clubs implement and review practices as needed throughout the year. Action steps: Confirm that the charter club members have unanimously agreed on a time and place for their weekly meeting. Oversee the adoption of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution and a set of club bylaws. Encourage the charter club to strive for reaching at least 25 charter members by a certain date. Promote the development of a diverse membership that mirrors the professional makeup of the community. Oversee the scheduling of the weekly meetings and the development of the agendas, in concert with the sponsor club and charter club members (see appendix 4 for sample agendas). Supervise the election of the provisional club officers and a board of directors. Ensure the acting treasurer is collecting any fees and dues from prospective members. Preside over the first board meeting, and make sure that committees are formed. Explain the purpose of the club assembly to the charter club members, and assist the club in calling the first club assembly. Provide guidance to the charter club, in coordination with the sponsor club, in running successful committee meetings. Invite the organizing club s committees to attend meetings of the sponsoring club s committees so that they can better understand how an experienced committee works. Encourage the charter club to understand the flexibility it has to implement operations, and consider the best practices in Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan. Assist the charter club with the timely completion of the New Club Application, and forward the charter fee to the district governor. Ensure that the charter club has met all required government regulations that exist in a given locality. Clubs in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands must apply for an employer identification number (EIN). Use IRS Form SS-4 for requesting an EIN for your club (see for instructions). Once you receive the EIN, notify your CDS representative, so that the number can be included in your club s permanent records at RI World Headquarters. 14

17 Working with the provisional club When a club is ready to meet weekly and has elected club officers, the district governor can grant it provisional club status. The club will remain a provisional club until it receives its charter. With this provisional status, the club meetings can serve as a meeting make-up to visiting Rotarians. Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Clubs (257) is an excellent resource for provisional clubs that need ideas for promoting their activities to the local community. The sponsor club continues to mentor the provisional club during this important stage of new club development. As special representative, you should oversee this mentoring activity and maintain contact with the sponsor club (if it is not your own club) periodically. Also maintain good communication with the provisional club, and be sure to ask if their mentorship needs are being met. Some possible areas of mentorship during this time include: Developing a club website Working on a club communication plan, which includes a club newsletter. Encourage the sponsor club s newsletter editor to meet with the provisional club s future editor to provide ideas about newsletter production, topics, and resources from the district and RI. E-newsletters are highly recommended because they are economical and easy to distribute. Continuing membership development and prospective member education. Don t forget to include the district trainer if you have specific training needs that he or she can accommodate. Sharing ideas for program agendas for at least the first eight weekly meetings Communities in Action/Community Assessment Tools (605) contains suggestions for clubs to develop effective service projects. Clubs engaged in diverse, well-run service projects are attractive to potential members. The special representative and sponsor club should communicate the availability of RI resources to the provisional club. Consult the RI Visual Identity Guide (547) for policy on using the Rotary emblem. Action steps: Encourage the provisional club to develop a club website to create a public presence in the community and attract charter members. Emphasize the importance of diversification across classification. Club members with varying areas of professional expertise are beneficial to developing a well-rounded club. If the club doesn t have enough members to complete its charter paperwork, suggest holding a prospective member education program on a weekday evening. Assist in publicizing the event, and encourage the sponsor club members and the charter club members to actively invite community members to attend. For program suggestions, see New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs (414). Consult with the district governor on the status of the New Club Application so that the proposed timeline can be updated and adjusted, as necessary. Help the provisional club with the paperwork and encourage the club to submit it to the district governor when they are ready. Remind the club to collect the charter fee from new members. Contact the district governor to report the status of the new club s development. Organizing the charter presentation meeting After the RI Board approves its application, the provisional club becomes a member club of RI, and the district governor is notified. The special representative should consult with the district governor about making program preparations for the charter presentation meeting as soon as the New Club Application has been submitted. However, a date should not be set until the governor is notified that the application has been approved. 15

18 Use the sample charter presentation meeting checklist (page 49) and the new club news release (page 51) as you work with the new club officers to organize and publicize the charter presentation event. The new club officers, with the assistance of the special representative, organize and plan the event. See chapter 5 for complete details. A sample charter presentation meeting checklist and a sample news release for the event are also included in appendixes 4 and 5. Customize these resources, as necessary. Action steps: Once the club s application is officially approved, work with the new club, sponsor club, and district governor to select a date for the charter presentation meeting. Always allow a minimum of four weeks after the submission of paperwork to RI for the processing of the New Club Application. Do not set a date for the presentation meeting until you receive notification from the district governor that the application has been approved. Ask the officers of the new club what kind of assistance they want or need in planning the formal event. Request that members of the sponsor club assist the new club in preparations. Create public awareness about the new club by contacting the local media and distributing a press release. A sample press release is included in appendix 6. Update the district governor on the status of the event. Supporting new Rotary clubs Distribute copies of How to Propose a New Member (254) during one of the initial meetings of the new club. Remind the new club that they should continue to seek new members. Distribute copies of The Rotary Foundation Quick Reference Guide (219) during a club meeting. New clubs should consider the many opportunities for involvement in The Rotary Foundation s programs. Order free copies at shop.rotary.org. The special representative s responsibilities continue until the president, secretary, and chairs of the principal committees of the new club have a working understanding of their duties. The special representative is strongly encouraged to follow up regularly with the new club during the year after the chartering, and the district governor-elect is strongly encouraged to reappoint the special representative for that purpose. The sponsor club s duties continue for at least a full year after the charter is granted, but it is recommended that the sponsor club continues to mentor the new club during its first few formative years. The special representative should also continue his or her relationship with the new club and the sponsor club for several years. The special representative and/or sponsor club may contribute to the success of the new club by Helping the new Rotarians become thoroughly informed about Rotary by attending weekly meetings Encouraging other clubs in the district and district committee members to assist with new member education Encouraging club members to attend the district conference and RI Convention Advising the club on which members should attend district training seminars Being available to give the club direction when they begin planning their first service project Educating club members about The Rotary Foundation Assisting the new club in planning its programs during its first year Planning joint fundraising activities between the sponsor club and new club Encouraging sponsor club members to attend regular meetings of the new club Encouraging the new club s members to make up at a nearby club (use Club Locator at to find meeting times). 16

19 Encourage the new club to develop a club vision by completing the activity outlined in the Strategic Planning Guide (downloadable from the RI website). Conduct Rotary business online, including SAR payment, at /memberaccess. After six months, check the club s status in the following areas and offer guidance where appropriate: Are the club s weekly meetings dynamic and well-planned? Are the committees making progress on their goals related to membership growth, community service, The Rotary Foundation, and club leadership development? Is the club board of directors holding effective monthly meetings? Submitting first semiannual report and dues The sponsor club officers should guide the new club president and secretary through the process of submitting the semiannual report (SAR) and dues for the first time. Make sure they understand that new clubs are liable for payment of dues for the semiannual period following the period in which they are admitted, except that Clubs admitted 16 May-30 June are excused from submitting a 1 July SAR and dues Clubs admitted 16 November-31 December are excused from submitting a 1 January SAR and dues Also mentor the new club officers to ensure the club is in compliance with all local and national tax laws. Meeting Past Due Financial Obligations Advise the new club about the procedure for collection of club past due financial obligations. Explain that a club with unpaid financial obligations in excess of US$250 will receive a reminder notice from the Secretariat 90 days (three months) after the due date. Following that, a club with unpaid financial obligations in excess of $250 will be terminated 180 days (six months) after the due date. For additional procedures on reinstatement and reorganization of terminated clubs, see Rotary Code of Policies Maintaining Complete Records Find the Confirmation of Former Rotary Club Membership and Good Financial Standing form at /membershipresources. The sponsor club s secretary can help the new club s secretary establish a system for permanent record keeping to ensure that club records are complete from the beginning. Information about the organization of the new club and the charter membership list are important historical documents. Ensure that the new secretary has a copy of the club s constitution (with articles 2 and 3 properly completed) and the club s bylaws. These documents should be kept as a permanent club record. Help the secretary set up a simple system to record attendance and significant anecdotes that should be a part of the club s history. Ensure the club has a copy of the Manual of Procedure (035). Membership changes and terminations should be carefully recorded and reported through Member Access at (Member Access is highly preferred, but changes may also be recorded using the Membership Data Form, which is available as a download from the RI website. The Membership Data Form is also included in the Club Secretary s Manual, part of the Club Officers Kit.) This information should also be shared with the district. A member of the sponsor club should help the secretary in preparing a report of the club s monthly attendance and submitting it to the district governor by the 15th of the following month. The club secretary should also collect the Confirmation of Former Club Membership and Good Financial Standing form, available at from any Rotary club in which prospective new members held previous membership. Notify the club board if a form is returned with unsatisfactory payment history. 17

20 Using Rotary Resources RI produces a variety of publications, videos, and online resources. A packet of printed materials is sent to the club secretary following the club s admission to RI. Inform the club that these materials should be used by the club s board to carry out their duties, by all members to continue their Rotary education, and by the membership committee and club members to educate prospective members. Encourage clubs to review all of the resources offered in the RI Catalog (019). The catalog can be accessed online at shop.rotary.org. Many publications are also available as free downloads at /downloadlibrary. All new club membership committees should be encouraged to use the Membership Development Resource Guide (417) and its online supplement, Club Assessment Tools. Regular assessment is essential to developing and maintaining effective and successful club operations, especially for new clubs. New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs (414) and How to Propose a New Member (254) are two additional membership publications that new club membership committees should utilize. The Strategic Planning Guide, an online-only publication available on the RI website, helps clubs develop a long-range vision and serves as a framework for establishing goals. New clubs would benefit from completing this activity. Communities in Action/Community Assessment Tools (605) is also an important resource for new clubs since developing effective service projects is vital to a club s success. New clubs should also be well-versed in the many exciting programs and services of The Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation Quick Reference Guide (219) provides a concise overview of the many opportunities for supporting The Rotary Foundation. Rotary Basics Online ( is an interactive, e-learning module that offers prospective, new, and current members a comprehensive, online Rotary learning experience. Action steps: Ensure that the club president and secretary are educated about the benefits of using Member Access. Review the e-learning module on Member Access with the club president and secretary. Delegate training responsibilities to the sponsor club president, secretary, and treasurer. Each should meet with their counterpart from the new club to review their administrative duties. Ensure that the new club has been trained on submitting semiannual reports, and mentor the new club officers about any local and national tax law compliance issues. Contact the new club at least once a month during the first year to answer any questions and provide guidance, as necessary. Check in with the sponsor club at least once a month during the first year to see how the club is continuing to support the new club. Ask the sponsor club to help out in any areas the new club indicates it needs help. Ask the new club if it needs any guidance on projects. Suggest that the new club use the assessments in Club Assessment Tools, particularly the Membership Satisfaction Questionnaire. Surveying club members several times during the first few years helps the club determine what the club members want out of their membership. 18